New Study Released on Window Cord Safety Awareness

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Feb 08, 2011, 10:36 ET

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --The latest information compiled by Opinion Research Corporation's Caravan® for the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) concluded that 92 percent of Americans surveyed are aware that pull-cords on certain drapes and window blinds can pose a strangulation hazard to infants and young children. Moreover, 74 percent of Americans surveyed were aware of a potential hazard associated with the interior cords running through the slats of some window blinds. This survey is based on interviews conducted in January, 2011 with 502 men and 504 women, 18 years of age and older.*

According to information provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, since 1990, more than 200 infants and young children have died from accidentally strangling in window cords.

To maximize window-cord safety when young children are present, consumers are urged to follow these safety guidelines:

Install only cordless window coverings in homes with young children. Replace window blinds, corded shades and draperies manufactured before 2001 with today's safer products.
Move all cribs, beds, furniture and toys away from windows and window cords, preferably to another wall.
Keep all window pull cords and inner lift cords out of the reach of children. Make sure that tasseled pull cords are short and continuous-loop cords are permanently anchored to the floor or wall. Make sure cord stops are properly installed and adjusted to limit movement of inner lift cords.
Lock cords into position whenever horizontal blinds or shades are lowered, including when they come to rest on a windowsill.

The Window Covering Safety Council is a coalition of major U.S. manufacturers, importers and retailers of window coverings. Consumers wishing to obtain additional information can contact WCSC at www.windowcoverings.org or its toll-free phone line at 1-800-506-4636.

*The Caravan® study has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.

Note to Editors: Line illustrations and captions describing how to retrofit older window blinds can be downloaded at www.windowcoverings.org/media.